Author's Note: Welcome to another story, darling readers! This was an idea given to me by a very dear friend of mine, and I immediately fell in love with the possibilities. This story begins somewhere during early season 10 of Cheers, when Sam and Rebecca are planning on having a child together. And that's all I'll say for now. Enjoy, please review, and more will be coming soon!

Love and Marriage and Children

"Hey listen, guys! We're gonna be great parents! Rebecca and I are friends and we care about each other. We want to be parents, and it doesn't matter if we're romantically involved, and it doesn't matter if we're married or not, okay?" Sam threw down the towel he was using to dry beer glasses to punctuate his point.

Lilith walked over from where she was sitting. "Sam, I think we should all sit down and have a conversation about this. Frasier and I both feel that you and Rebecca need to think this through a little more, calmly and rationally and logically. We can help facilitate that. We are professionals, after all."

Rebecca put a hand on Sam's shoulder. "Come on, Sam. It won't hurt to just talk about it. God knows we can't have a simple conversation without going overboard and getting in a huge fight."

Sam sighed. "Yeah, alright." He and Rebecca came around from behind the bar and joined Frasier and Lilith at their table in the corner.

Frasier sat up straight and grinned. "Very sensible of you both to speak with us. Parenthood is a very big step, whether or not you intend to be married. What matters is what is best for the child. A baby is a lot of work and sacrifice. As parents, you need to be able to put aside your own needs and desires to provide an environment of love and support."

Lilith nodded. "Frasier is right. But more importantly, babies are hell. They cry all the time. You won't get a decent night's sleep for at least two years. And that's not including what poor Rebecca will go through during pregnancy."

Rebecca frowned. "You didn't have too much trouble, did you, Lilith?"

She smirked. "I did my best to keep my sanity in public." Frasier scoffed and received a glare from his wife. "But no, it was horrible. Everything hurt. I couldn't sleep for the last three months or so. I had to pee all the time. I was sick and tired for nine freaking months."

"And that's not counting the hell she'll put you through, Sam," Frasier added. "You will get blamed for everything. After all, it's your seed that put her in that state."

Rebecca turned to Sam and said in a low tone, "You know, maybe they're right. Are we really ready for this?"

Sam took her hands in his. "Right now? Not at all. But by the time we get pregnant and you give birth to our kid, we will be. And even if we're not, we'll figure it out! How many people become parents by accident? And their kids all turn out okay! Hell, we want a baby. That makes us more ready than most people out there. And think about it, Rebecca. Sure he'll cry and keep us up at night. Sure being pregnant and giving birth will be tough. But when our baby opens his eyes for the first time, he'll see you and me. And we'll hold this tiny little bundle that we made. And we're going to love him more than we ever knew was possible. He'll take his first steps from my arms into yours. You'll get to kiss him goodnight and tuck him in. I'll get to teach him how to throw a baseball. And no matter what happens to you or me, for the rest of our lives, we'll have our kid. And at the end of the day, isn't that what's important? To love and be loved? That's all we're asking for, isn't it?"

"Yes! Yes to all of it, Sam. I want that. Let's do it, Sam. Let's make a baby!" Rebecca cried, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

Lilith turned to her own husband. "Frasier…"

"I know. He's right. Children are the best blessing in the world. Makes you wonder why we've only got one," he chuckled, squeezing her hand.

"Frasier."

He looked at her and saw that look in her eyes, that shining look of love and lust. "Oh. Oh!" he said in realization. He turned back to Sam and Rebecca. "Well, it looks like you've made your decision. Good luck conceiving. Looks like the Cranes are off to do the same." He stood up and pulled Lilith with him.

"Frasier!" she scolded, pressing her free hand to her mouth to keep from grinning like an idiot. All things going as planned, she'd soon be re-experiencing the blissful hell of expectant motherhood. And they couldn't wait.